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Freedom Mupanedemo-Midlands Bureau

ZIBAGWE Rural District Council has received $4 million under the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme Phase II (ERRP 2) and is currently carrying routine maintenance of roads in the district.

The Government declared all roads to be a state of national disaster in February last year and launched ERRP 1 and after it lapsed launched ERRP II.

The objectives of ERRP 2 are set to improve the road network, which was extensively damaged during the rainy season, and to harness the potential of the transport system in promoting economic growth.

The RDC was allocated a budget of $43 million under ERRP II and has been allocated $ 4 million by the Zimbabwe National Roads Administration (Zinara).

The local authority has managed to do 8km pothole patching along Sherwood road, vegetation clearing on some sections of the same road, and spot gravelling on Zhombe District Service Centre shops frontage.

Council is also doing pothole patching on the access road to Munyati Power Station as well as pothole patching and vegetation clearing along the old Gokwe road.

Zibagwe RDC chief executive officer Mr Farai Machaya confirmed the development.

He said the council is planning to rehabilitate the drainage system along Sherwood road

“We have received about $ 4 million from Zinara under ERRP 2 from the budget of $43 million. 

“We have since embarked on pothole patching, and vegetation clearing in major roads under our jurisdiction,” said Mr Machaya.

He said the council will rehabilitate Crossroads to Gweru road once Zinara allocates the council more funds

Turning to devolution funds, Mr Machaya said the council is expecting to commission Bhalimasvesve Primary School F14 staff house, Zhombe flea market, and Columbina public toilet.

“Some devolution projects we are expecting to be commissioned come August include Sherwood clinic, followed by Langton clinic in September, Hunters Secondary School in October, and Fafi Clinic block in November.

“We remain optimistic of a better future given the anticipated funding through devolution, and the massive infrastructure projects being rolled out by the Government. 

“The economic outlook seems very promising, anchored by the robust implementation of policies in the National Development Strategy (NDS 1) and the vision of the Second Republic,” said Mr Machaya.